CHRISTIANS around the world reacted with sadness to the news that Pope Francis passed away on Easter Monday (April 21).

Pope Francis, the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, died following a stroke and subsequent irreversible heart failure.

This comes after he previously battled double pneumonia for five weeks.

Among those expressing their grief following the news is the Bishop of Salisbury, Rt Revd Stephen Lake, who said: “At the end of a long but wonderful Easter Day, celebrated by thousands of people all over the diocese, I chose my reading for the Easter week ahead.

“I have picked the autobiography of Pope Francis I, simply entitled HOPE.

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“I woke this morning to the news of Pope Francis’ death. May he rest in peace and rise in glory.

“I offer my respect and condolences to all Catholics in our shared communities.

“To have greeted the crowds on Easter Day and to have offered the Easter blessing must have been a comfort to Francis as much as it was to all people of good faith.

“He was a holy and pastoral leader, a true disciple of Jesus Christ.

“His dedication to justice and his humble leadership touched millions of people, well beyond the Catholic church.

“On the final page of his book there is one line which sums up for me, what Pope Francis was all about.

“He wrote: ‘Tenderness is not weakness. It is a true force.'”

Dean of Salisbury, the Very Revd Nicholas Papadopulos, said: “The Christian world has lost a leader of transparent holiness and spiritual authority.

“We give thanks for Pope Francis, we mourn him, and we pray for him.”

Pope Francis who was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, was elected as Pope in 2013. His funeral will be held this Saturday (April 26).

Preparations are underway to begin the conclave – the process where cardinals, senior officials of the Catholic Church, will elect the next Pope.